Kenduskeag update: Stream shows signs of spring

Temperatures soared into the mid 50s in Bangor today. In short drives around town, I’ve seen joggers galore, motorcyclists, and even a few hardy souls wearing shorts and tank tops.

In another sign of spring, the Bangor Parks and Recreation Department sent out a welcome harbinger: They’re now accepting registrations for the 48th annual Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race.

Six Mile Falls on Kenduskeag Stream as of noon on Monday, April 7. (BDN photo by John Holyoke)

The race will be held on Saturday, April 19. You can register at the Parks and Recreation building on Main Street, or register online here. If you’ve got questions about the race, you can call 992-4490.

Here are a few details: The entry fee is $20 per paddler if you pre-register. That fee increases to $40 per paddler after 1 p.m. on Friday, April 18. Race-day registrations will only be accepted from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 a.m.

Paddlers must be at least 12 years old; all those younger than 16 must have an adult with them in the boat.

The mouth of Kenduskeag Stream, where paddlers will take their boats out of the water on April 19. (BDN photo by John Holyoke)

Since many participants in the annual classic live far from Bangor and might not be able to check out the stream conditions in person, I figured they might want a river-vulture’s eye view of the current conditions.

The two photos taken at mid-day today show conditions at Six Mile Falls, and at the mouth of the Kenduskeag, where successful paddlers take their boats out of the water at the end of the race.

As the race date gets closer, I’ll try to get out to the stream periodically to take photos from the same vantage points to let folks know what conditions look like.

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About John Holyoke

John Holyoke has been enjoying himself in Maine's great outdoors since he was a kid. Today, he's the Outdoors editor for the BDN, a job that allows him to meet up with Maine outdoors enthusiasts in their natural habitat. The stories he gathers provide fodder for his columns, and this blog.

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John Holyoke

John Holyoke has been enjoying himself in Maine's great outdoors since he was a kid. Today, he's the Outdoors editor for the BDN, a job that allows him to meet up with Maine outdoors enthusiasts in their natural habitat. The stories he gathers provide fodder for his columns, and this blog.